RiNo Archives - Denver Urban Review

Justin August 13, 2015 at 2:12 pm 2

A 362 unit apartment project is planned for Denver's RiNo neighborhood. This development will take shape at 2890 Brighton Boulevard. Several projects are planned and currently under construction in this part of Denver including the Source Hotel which is under construction at 3300 Brighton Boulevard.

Rendering of Modera River North courtesy ARA Newmark.

This yet to be named River North project is slated to break ground in September with a project completion expected in September 2017. The building will reach six floors in height. Denver-based The Mulhern Group designed this structure. ARA Newmark raised an unnamed amount of financing for this project and Denver-based Executive Managing Director Chris Cowan and Houston-based executive managing director Adam Allen led the way securing equity for this project. “For an area that was considered the wrong side of the tracks no more than 18 months ago, there has been incredible institutional capital interest for this front door location,” stated Cowan. “RiNo hasn’t just made the map for Denver – it is the map. It is impossible to articulate all of the fluidity and activity happening there.” Texas-based Mill Creek Residential is developing this project. Yesterday Denver Urban Review covered Mill Creek's 275 unit Modera Observatory Park apartment project that will be constructed near the University of Denver. Mill Creek Residential was represented by Cowan and Allen in the transaction of its RiNo project. Managing director of Brian Wynne of Mill Creek is leading this RiNo apartment community. Wynne explains, “Mill Creek is excited to become part of the River North community and part of the Brighton corridor in particular. We are huge believers in the momentum of activity all around this site and we see the best of both worlds in this location – participating in the exciting energy of the area while being only a short walk to the heart of downtown Denver.” Apartments will have stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and nine-foot ceilings. A pool and fitness center are also included in this community.

Construction RiNo

Project Announcements

Architect Stephen Dynia discusses ‘Gauge’ project

Justin August 3, 2015 at 6:35 pm 0

Zeppelin Development is planning a 100,000 square foot mixed-use development to be constructed at 35th and Wazee in Denver's River North neighborhood (RiNo). The project will include both office and retail space. The retail portion will comprise approximately 25 percent of the space. Tenant common space and a shared meeting room will be included. Outdoor areas with vegetation will also be featured. The title of this structure is Gauge, and is expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2016. Dynia Architects designed this project and founder Stephen Dynia explained why the name Gauge was selected. "It has to do with the prominence of the rail lines. It is a very individual site. It is on the edge of freight lines and a new line also going to the airport and one of the bridges(pedestrian) is going to land at the door to the building. RiNo is unique in this area as the rail line is going to pour out here, and there will be a new kind of energy," said Dynia.

Rendering of Gauge courtesy Dynia Architects.

Dynia Architects and Zeppelin development have collaborated on several other projects including the buildings at the TAXI campus, The Source marketplace and The Source Hotel. "It is completely independent from our other projects. It is an entirely new idea. We have new ideas for every building and this building is about having a garden on the upper levels," states Dynia. "We are not in a temperate place, but there are things that grow and stay green in the winter."

Rendering of Gauge courtesy Dynia Architects.

Denver's RiNo is an eclectic mix of old industrial buildings, unique retail, and several new developments are currently under construction in the neighborhood. Dynia expresses his take on RiNo. "The great thing about RiNo is it has this mix of stuff that will probably stay there for quite a while– a combination that makes it interesting. It is not a homogenous fabric. There will be new things developed that will coexist with things that have been there for a long time. Dynia founded his eponymous firm in 1993 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Before that, he began his career working for the well known architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill after receiving his architecture degree from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Construction RiNo

Construction Updates

RiNo and Five Points construction update

Justin May 26, 2015 at 12:35 am 2

Mother nature provided just enough of a gap between rain showers to allow me to sneak out to Denver's Five Points and River North (RiNo) neighborhoods to snap some photos of the constructions projects taking shape.

Pictured above is the 2300 Welton project that just began construction. The development will include 223 residential units. This project was designed by Denver-based Humphries Poli Architects.

Also under construction in Denver's Five Points is The Wheatley at 25th Street and Welton. This development will include 14 for-sale town homes, 82 apartments and space for ground floor retail. This site was the location of the Phillis Wheatley Young Woman's Christian Association which operated from 1916-1964. Phillis Wheatley was the first published African-American woman and first published African-American poet.

Pictured above is the Larimer Row townhome project in Denver's River North (RiNo) neighborhood. This project is taking shape 34th and Larimer. Once fully completed will include 28 townhomes.

Factory Flats broke ground this month and is a for-sale condo development. It will include space for ground floor retail. This project is located at 3198 Blake Street. Factory Flats is targeting LEED and ENERGY STAR certifications and each unit will be solar-powered.

Pictured above is the Backyard on Blake development. This project includes the adaptive reuse of an existing brick structure and new construction to create a development that will feature, office, retail and residential components.

Pictured above is the Hartley Flats project that is nearing completion at 27th and Walnut Street. This project will house one and two bedroom apartment units.

Above is the construction site of a mixed-use development on Brighton Boulevard that stretches between 31st Street and 35 Street. Featured in this development will be condominiums and retail space. Below is the site of the new Great Divide Brewing Co brewery at 35th Street and Brighton Boulevard.

Above is The Crossing at Denargo Market apartments located at 2525 Wewatta Way currently under construction at the confluence of Denver's Ballpark and RiNo neighborhoods. This development includes 321 apartment units in a 5 story building, wrapped around a 6 level parking structure.

Pictured above construction continues on the Freight Residences located at TAXI. Unlike most of Denver’s current apartment projects under construction, Freight Residences is designed to attract young families. The lobby of the building will serve as a children’s art area. Zeppelin Development is building this 48-unit project.

Adaptive reuse Architecture Construction Denargo Five Points RiNo

Construction Updates

Larimer Row phase 1 set for new residents

Justin May 18, 2015 at 12:19 am 1

Larimer Row rendering courtesy BLVD Builders.

Larimer Row rendering courtesy EVStudio.

Larimer Row Phase 1. Photo courtesy EVstudio.

The Larimer Row townhome project is taking shape in Denver's River North neighborhood (RiNo). Once fully completed, 28 units will be delivered at the 3400 block of Larimer Street. Phase 1 of this development is now ready for residents with all other units being delivered by January 2016. This project was designed by EVstudio and is being built by BLVD builders—both of which are Denver based. "BLVD chose to build in the River North Art District because of its creative energy and strong community that is not found in many other locations around Denver," states BLVD Builders president of development Aaron Foy. "We anticipated built-in demand for reasonably priced townhomes from professionals working in the RiNo district's large number of creative businesses. We have found that to be the case with several of our buyers attracted to Larimer Row because they will be able to walk to work." Larimer Row homes are available in two and three bedroom options with prices ranging from the high $300s to the high $400. The size of the units spans between 1,229 square feet and 1,673 square feet. Rooftop decks are featured in all homes along with hardwood floors and quartz countertops. Currently under construction four blocks from the site of the Larimer Row project is a RTD commuter rail station. Once completed in 2016 this station will serve RTD's East Line that will deliver passengers to Denver International Airport. "We designed the townhomes with Denver’s outdoor lifestyle in mind. Each unit has a rooftop deck that spans their entire roof with fantastic views of downtown and panoramic views of the mountains from Mount Evans to the Flatirons to Longs Peak," said Foy. "For our 2 bedroom units, considered nearby transit and have an option where buyers can select an oversized 1-car garage, in lieu of a 2-car tandem garage, and get a den for additional living space."

Construction RiNo RTD

Project Announcements

Rare condo project for Denver’s RiNo

Justin May 14, 2015 at 12:57 am 6

Green Development has announced that ground has been broken and construction has begun on its mixed-use project Factory Flats. This project is located at 3198 Blake Street in Denver's River North neighborhood (RiNo). Unlike most of the residential projects that are taking shape around Denver, this development is a for-sale condo project.

Rendering of Factory Flats. Image courtesy GreenSpot Real Estate.

Rendering of Factory Flats. Image courtesy Green Development.

"Denver is an exciting place to be right now," noted Melissa Baldridge, Co-Owner and Co-Founder, Green-Building Solutions Provider, GreenSpot Real Estate. "However, one of the downsides of the housing boom is the rising cost of rent, which is pricing many young professionals out of the market. Since the end of 2010, rental prices in Denver have grown at nearly twice the pace of hourly wages, according to data from the real estate firm Zillow and the U.S Labor Department. Baldridge added, "At Factory Flats, interested buyers will pay less than they would pay in rent for a similar property in the neighborhood, and they will be investing in a home and building equity." Factory Flats will feature 24 flats ranging in size between 1,188 sq. ft. to 1,456 square feet. Ground floor space for retail or office use has been incorporated into this development. Factory Flats is targeting LEED and ENERGY STAR certifications and each unit will be solar-powered. Once commuter rail service begins in 2016 on RTD's East Line, residents will be within walking distance of a station at 38th Avenue and Blake Street. The East Line will provide rail access to Denver International Airport. Commuter rail trains will reach a top speed of 79 miles per hour and will run every 15 minutes during peak hours. Residential units will feature hardwood floors, quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances. Construction is expected to be completed in the middle of 2016. Pre-sale pricing for units ranges in the $400s. Units will be available in one and two bedroom options. "Factory Flats is exactly the type of development that Denver needs right now," said Tracye Herrington, Co-owner and founder, Employing Broker, GreenSpot Real Estate. "The city has very few new construction for-sale condo options, and as millennials and baby boomers continue to come in droves to Denver, they want to live in beautiful, green, community-focused places in vibrant, walkable neighborhoods like RiNo."

Condo Construction RiNo RTD